The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-01-13
Farman's Comp0st-Cotton Estl-

Farman's ComPost-Cotton Estl-
mates.
We publish elsewhere communication
signed Farmer in which he attacks
the Furmsn compost as being injurious
rather than beneficial rs an application
for short cotton. He cites the experience
of two who have tried it, and we say per
contra that since the publication of the
Furman article last week we have been
assured that the compost has been tested
in a small way by different persons in this
part of Middle Florida with excellent re-
suits. Farmer does not tell US that he
and his friend who used the compost with
bad results tried the lengthy method of
Mr.. Furman in its gradual application,
giving the weak land no more than it could
bear at first and increasing the dose season
after season until it was brought up to
full health. He does not tell us that his
friend did not overdose the land,
and burn vegetation with the saline ele-
ment of the compost, as he might easily
do. He is correct that this is salt coun-
try; proximity to the sea gives US sa-
line atmosphere, and the soil is impreg-
mated. He says the compost is good for
long cotton (Sea Island), and if it really
is not as good for short cotton here as in
the middle of Georgia probably it would
be made SO by diminishing the proportion
OF kainit. Whether any one has or has
not made fortune out Of kainit has
nothing to do with the question, and the
remark is mere ad captandum vulgAs.
The question is on the merits of the ar
ticle, and if it enables others to make for
tunes they should have no objection to
its being profitable to those who supply
it to them. We hope farmers will not be
deferred from testing Furman's compost
by the representations of our correspond
ent, whose experience has been in land
dissimilar to that of this locality.
Touching our correspondence refer
ences to the cotton crop We would re-
mark that we trust his ideas as to the
Furman compost have as little foundation
in fact, for we might reasonably interpret
them contrary to his purpose, as being
commendatory Of the fertilizer. If the
whole of the little crop of Florida were
blotted out of the estimate land as much
might be burned in some one of the great
warehouse depots of the world any day)
1t would not affect the price, nor can it's
overestimate as part of the crop. Brad
street did not overestimate but under
estimated the last crop by 100000 bales,
for his estimate was 6,475,OOO and the
output 6,575,OOO. To come as near as
this proves that the methods of obtaining
statistics of the cotton crop in its various
stages have been brought almost to per-
lection, and the estimates from them en-
titled to the confidence they receive as
the basis of business operations. There is
nothing new in Farmers" opinion that
crops are overestimated in order to keep
down the price, for it is common one
with those who do not give the subject
due thought. These should reflect that
there are more sellers than there are buy
ers of cotton, and that the adverse inter-
ests are check upon each to prevent
trickery on either side, even if it should
be attempted by concerted plan On so
large scale as would give it the least
chance of success.
The figures of the crops of the counties
given by "Farmer" are quite incorrect,
being above the true amount in some
counties and below in others and there
are quite number of other counties in
Florida that raise cotton besides those he
names. Lastly, Bradstreet includes both
long and short cotton in estimates.
"Farmer" challenges Bradstreet. Does
he sustain himself? He deuounces Fur
mans compost. Has he proved it worth
less
Try Furman's compost.